Hamper With Ironing Board

Shopping for College Essentials Made Easy

It's almost time for your high school graduate to become a college freshman. And for many of you, that means a lot of shopping to stock a dorm room. Here are some tips that may help.

Check before you shop. Colleges may vary, providing different items in their dorm rooms. If you want to save some money and some room space, find out what items are rented or loaned out. Comforter, two sets of sheets, a mattress pad or foam egg crate pad, a couple of pillows—with one being a body pillow. Four large bath towels (depending on how many times you reuse your shower towels and plan on doing laundry), two hand towels and wash cloths. A shower caddie for carrying your bath supplies to and from. A robe and shower shoes (flip flops). Electronics & Small Appliances:   A laptop—make sure the one you buy is supported at your school.  Maybe a printer. Most schools have a printer you can use, but they may charge per page for printing. Also if you procrastinate when that big paper is due there might be a line. You could print off hours like in the early morning or over night. A tv with DVD player is an addition that might not be needed if you have a laptop to view shows online. Desk lamp/bedside lamp—be sure to replace any halogen bulbs.  They may not be allowed. A fan is a must when there is no air conditioning.  An alarm clock with iPod speakers would be nice for playing music.  Don't forget the earphones. Refrigerator and microwave—check the wattage required. A cheap or used hand-me-down vacuum is good for clean ups, but will take up some space.  This is an item that the front desk might loan out. Organizers/Room Decor:  Laundry basket/hamper—one that is easy to carry like a pop up one made from mesh material.  Mini ironing board and iron or wear clothes that don't wrinkle. Waste basket, over the door hooks or removable sticky tac, door mirror and dry erase board for messages left on your room door. Desk drawer organizer and shoe organizer. Under bed bins or stackable drawers. The drawers could act as a night stand too. A throw rug or piece of carpet. Try getting free samples from your local flooring/carpet store. Posters/wall decor so your space feels more like home.  Shop Walmart and use their ship site to store for free shipping.  You could have your things shipped directly to another Walmart near your college for free.

Sears and JC Penney's would be worth checking out for the small appliances. Don't want to leave your house? Then try online stores like www.Amazon.com .  Amazon has almost everything and most items ship free with order over $25.

CHEAP Neu Home 63101 Organize It All Chrome Laundry Station | Best ...

Durable construction Industrial grade wheels for easy mobility Pull out basket for extra storage Laundry bag Folding table for extra counter space

63101 Features: Open storage on bottom 1 Shelf 1 Small basket 1 Hamper for dirty clothes Frame constructed of metal, hamper is canvas Wheels for mobility Finish: Metal / Canvas Dimensions: 26.25″(W) x 18″(D) x 31″(H) .

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